Bandung

Eco-friendly travel guide to Bandung advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Bandung, Indonesia.

File:Mountain Breeze Banjaran Bandung, Kabupaten Bandung, South Bandung, Bandung District, West Java, Indonesia.png

Bandung city view

Air quality: 3 / 5

Exploring by foot: 4 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5

Public transportation: 3.5 / 5

Parks: 4 / 5

Outdoor activities: 4 / 5

Locals' English level: 3.5 / 5

Safety: 3.5 / 5

Accommodation: US$10 - $55

Budget per day: US$5 - $20

Responsible Travel

One of Indonesia's most populous cities, Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia. Greater Bandung is the country's second-largest metropolitan area with over 11 million inhabitants. The city lies on a river basin surrounded by volcanic mountains that provides a natural defence system, which was the primary reason for the Dutch East Indies government's plan to move the capital from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) to Bandung.

Bandung is still developing and it's not as famous as Jakarta or Bali. But its rich heritage and beautiful locations make it appealing to the tourists.

To play your part as a responsible tourist,

You can book an eco-friendly hotel or resort at a very reasonable price as there are plenty of green hotels.

Buy souvenirs from the local markets rather than going to the shopping malls where they sell internationally branded things.

Learn about Bandung’s history and cuisine while exploring the charming streets, and make food stops to taste local delicacies.

Whether you are a local or a tourist to get to know the area even better while on foot or cycle with the local guides or the multiple tours conducted by the hotel you are staying in or you can book such tours on online sites, such as tripadvisor.in, www.travelocity.com. Not using a car or a bus will reduce your carbon footprint.

Air Quality and Pollution

When looking at the pollution levels that Bandung is subject to, it is noticeable that there are large levels of fluctuations occurring on a daily basis, with readings as low as 4.7 μg/m³ being recorded in the latter part of 2020, and highs of 41.3 μg/m³ being recorded only a few days prior to that.

So it's evident that the average pollution level is high, effects can be immediately felt by individuals at risk. Everybody feels the effects of prolonged exposure.

A quick sweep over Bandung air pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI):

PM2.5 - 117

PM - 10

NO2 - 42

O3 - 3

Respect the Culture

While there are plenty of similarities, the culture here is in many ways hugely different from other cultures and ethnicities within Indonesia. The region has its distinct cuisine, language, and traditions. There's a lot to discover, and the culture alone makes a stop at Bandung worthwhile.

Bandung is the capital of the Sundanese. The Sundanese have their cultural legacy and language, which is truly unique and can be experienced in no place better than Bandung. Predominantly, Sundanese people believe in Islamism. During the pre-Islamic period, there is a significant Christian minority, around 9 per cent are Buddhists, and there are smaller numbers of Hindus and followers of Confucianism.

A distinct facet of Sundanese culture is its food. The whole of West Jawa and Bandung, in particular, is a paradise for food lovers. The arrival of Minangkabaus, Bataks, Javanese and Indian people brought more colours to the culture of Bandung, especially cuisine. Don’t forget to taste their traditional food made by the locals.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Trans Studio Bandung - Trans Studio Bandung is one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world which is owned and operated by the Indonesian company Trans Corp. You can see some efficiencies, such as Trans Studio Big Band, Laser Show, New Parade, Legend of Crown Prince, Kabayan Goes to Hollywood, Bolang & Zoo Crew Adventure, and Special Effects Action Show. There are also many efforts that you can try, from last trips to soft play for kids.

* Bandung White Crater - Kawah Putih is a striking crater lake and tourist spot in a volcanic crater about 50 kilometres south of Bandung in West Java in Indonesia. Kawah Putih lake is one of the two craters which make up Mount Patuha, an andesitic stratovolcano. Mount Patuha is one of the numerous volcanoes in Java. The entire location can be explored in 30 minutes. Tourists come here either by car hire or through a Kawah Putih to complete their Bandung Tour.

Tangkuban Perahu - Tangkuban Parahu is a stratovolcano 30 km north of the city of Bandung, the provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia. It is a popular tourist attraction where tourists hike or ride to the edge of the crater to view the hot water springs and boiling mud up close, and buy eggs cooked on the hot surface.

Gedung Sate - Gedung Sate is a public building in Bandung, developed and utilized by the Dutch companies. Today, the building serves as the seat of the governor of the province of West Java, and also a museum. Its common name, Gedung sate, is a nickname that translates literally from Indonesian to 'satay building', which is a reference to the shape of the building's central pinnacle - which resembles the shape of one of the Indonesian traditional dishes called satay.

Dusun Bambu - A relaxing household leisure park at the foot of the mountain with very motivating, superb, and remarkably attractive surroundings. A massive bamboo structure welcomes you at the main gate, and a fancy-dancy flower shuttle bus will bring you to the primary area of the park. with interesting bamboo walking courses. Try a different dining event on Dusun Bambu’s hanging cradles, the Lutung Kasarung, and let the cool mountain breeze touch the light of your cheeks though having a satisfying meal at the treetop.

Curug Waterfalls - Bandung is filled with stunning landscapes such as national parks, hills, and waterfalls, and Curug Maribaya is one of Bandung’s best waterfalls there is. This newly remodelled spot is not all about its waterfall, as there are numerous spots to do some sightseeing and it is rather an excellent place to invest your day off.

Bandung Zoological Garden - Kebun Binatang Bandung or Bandung Zoological Gardens is a zoo located in the city of Bandung in West Java, Indonesia. It was created in 1933 when two existing zoos in the city were combined and moved to the current location on Taman Sari street. The zoo has a variety of exotic and domestic animals, including birds, horses, elephants, bears, and many more. The place is well-maintained, clean, and safe for the family. They have a special performance, located in the heart of the zoo, showing many kinds of attractions done by a group of trained animals.

Rumah Mode Factory Outlet - Rumah Mode Factory Outlet is a popular retail site. Set in an attractive and well-maintained space—complete with fish ponds, gardens, and al-fresco dining areas—the mall offers a range of clothing for women, men, and children. With a selection including local and international brands, the outlet provides the chance to find something new and unusual, or a piece by one of the world's most recognizable designers.

Bandung Geological Museum - Geology Museum remains at the top of the listing of things to do in Bandung is pretty amazing. The Museum has interesting exhibits, rebuilt skeletons of Mammoths, and even the bones of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Sure, this is more of a location for a family visit, but it is still an interesting place to check out while in Bandung. Bandung Geology Museum is the last one of the Most Interesting Places in Bandung list for this article.

Braga Street - Braga Street is a street in the centre of Bandung, Indonesia, famous in 1920s colonial Indonesia as a promenade street. A European ambience of chic cafes, boutiques, and restaurants along the street propelled Bandung to attain the Dutch nickname Parijs van Java.

Gedung Sate

Explore

Bandung is better known today for its historic Bandung Conference, - otherwise known as the first Asian-African Conference in 1955. But back in Dutch colonial days, at the beginning of the 20th century, Bandung was the favorite resort of wealthy tea and coffee planters owners of swathes of undulating tea and coffee plantations. Fondly called Paris of Java, Bandung has a significant number of museums, parks, and landmarks that are worth visiting.

City Parks

Here are the names of some famous city parks -

Alun-Alun Bandung - Located next to Masjid Agung Bandung, this place is always full of visitors. You and your family can relax and play in the vast synthetic grass in the mosque area. The square is also a flower garden that has a unique design.

Taman Lansia - Located next to Gedung Sate, this park is quite famous with the locals and the tourists. Lansia stands for ‘Lanjut Usia’ or senior citizens. Serene, landscaped park with picnic areas, jogging paths, food vendors & a large dinosaur sculpture, this park is worth the visit if you want a time out from city life.

Bandung City Hall Park - Situated in a very strategic location and within walking distance from Braga Street, Bandung Indah Plaza, Taman Sejarah, and Bandung Planning Gallery, this park is the favourite of many. With greenery and sculptures, this place is perfect for a picnic, family outings or merely enjoying the calmness alone.

NuArt Sculpture Park - NuArt Sculpture Park primarily exhibits the works of the sculptor Nyoman Nuarta that spans from the beginning of his career to the latest masterpieces. The 3 hectares park was specifically designed to nurture the development of Indonesian art, design, and culture.

Teras Cikapundung BBWS - A Bustling landscaped park featuring boating, fountains, sculptures, gardens. This is one of the most visited parks in Bandung. People love visiting here for different activities. This park is the place for concerts and gatherings too.

National Parks

Forest Park Conservation Area Tahura Ir. H. Juanda - This is a 590-hectare conservation area, mainly a scenic walk trail consisting of pine forest, river, and waterfall. Moreover, there is also the historical dutch cave made during the Dutch colonialism era in Indonesia, and the Japanese cave which was made during world war II. If you hike further, you could reach the Maribaya waterfall, it's actually quite small and surrounded by pine trees. You could build your tent near the area and spend the night there. Take note, this national park has a lack of facilities. There'll be locals renting flashlights, it should cost you less than Rp 5000/flashlight.

Beaches

Bandung, the city of West Java province is famous for its culinary spots and historical places. However, despite its geographical location, Bandung still has many choices of beautiful beaches. To arrive at the beaches, you’ll need to go to the southern part of Bandung or other areas near the city. Here are some of the most famous beaches near Bandung.

Rancabuaya Beach - The seashore here is decorated with white sand and rocks here and there. Some trees beautify the beach. The water is also blue and clean. Plus, you’ll only need to pay IDR5,000 to enter the beach.

Pangumbahan Beach - Not only clear water and clean, white sand beach, but Pangumbahan beach also offers you the chance to see cute, old-living creatures starting their journey. You can find here turtle captivity, as well as you can observe the mother turtle laying eggs on the beach.

Sayang Heulang Beach - Sayang Heulang beach is one of the best places to enjoy sunset near Bandung. Though the route to this beach is quite long and challenging as you need to drive for 5 hours from the city of Bandung to arrive there. You will find the beach is decorated with groups of corals jutting into the sea. A perfect place to relax your mind after the long ride.

Santolo Beach - Located in Cikelet District, Santolo beach is still rarely visited even though its beauty is truly captivating. You can enjoy the view of the beach that’s decorated with white sand and large rocks and clean along with bluish-green water.

Kerapyak Beach - It’s one of the most beautiful beaches near Bandung. This beach is not so well-known among the locals or international visitors. So, the beauty is still well-preserved and it feels like a hidden paradise. You can also visit the Ujung Kulon National Park, which’s nearby.

Rancabuaya Beach

Landmarks

There is quite a mixed bag of landmarks and buildings in the city of Bandung, ranging from historical structures and monuments to modern suspension bridges and shopping malls. Many beautiful landmarks were constructed during the 18th century and the 19th century, and the most important of these structures are now watched over by the recently established Bandung Heritage Society.

The Dago Hill - It is located at the far end of the Jalan Merdeka and off the Jalan Juanda, where it enjoys inviting city panoramas, overlooking the endless jungle of radio masts and power lines. Several notable landmarks are scattered around the hill itself, such as the Dago Tea House (Dago Thee Huis), which features an open-air theatre and subsequent indoor theatre space close by. Just a short stroll from the Tea House is the popular Dago Waterfall (Curug Dago), which leads to the pleasant riverside trail, connecting the forest park of Taman Hutan Raya Ir H Juanda and its various caves.

Masjid Raya Bandung - The Grand Mosque of Bandung previously known as the Great Mosque of Bandung (Indonesian Great Mosque of Bandung), is a mosque in Bandung, the provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia. The mosque received the status of the provincial mosque of West Java Province in 2004. It is located on the east side of the Alun-Alun of Bandung. The most distinctive feature of the mosque is its two twin minarets, each 81 meters high.

St Peter's Cathedral - Bandung Cathedral (Indonesian Gereja Katedral Bandung) is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Bandung. Its official name is Katedral Santo Petrus ("St. Peter's Cathedral"). It is located at Jalan Merdeka, Bandung, Indonesia. The building was designed by Wolff Schoemaker in Neo-Gothic style.

Jalan Asia Afrika - A road with numerous historical buildings - especially related to Asia-African Conference. The street is clean with amazing Dutch architecture. The buildings are preserved well so as all the street elements. We started to walk around in the evening so the street was light-up nicely. Along the way, you will see some people in costumes/cosplay. Take photos with them & donate as you wish. There are food & drinks sellers at Alun Alun.

Bank Indonesia Building - If you want to see one of the historical buildings in Bandung downtown, then you can find the Bank Indonesia Building as one of the best places that have the traditional Dutch structure.

Masjid Raya Bandung

Museums

The museums in Bandung give the very essence of its citizens and rich culture. These are the most famous museums in Bandung that you must visit,

Museum of The Asian-African Conference - The venue for the historic first Asian African Conference held in 1955, this museum is now recognized as one of the milestones in world history. With lots of collectibles, paintings, memoirs, and photographs from the conference, today, the museum is the epitome of modern-day Indonesian culture.

Museum Pos Indonesia - This place is one of the postal museums in the world that has a really huge amount of stamp collectors from all over the world, even from a country or place. You can see many collections of things used by the postal service from the era of the Dutch East Indies until the independence of Indonesia.

Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum - This museum exhibits Indonesian wars in achieving our independence. Hence, we will see various weapons, both traditional and modern.

Museum Kota Bandung - Located in a vintage building on Aceh street no. 47-49, Museum Kota Bandung was opened on October 31, 2018. This museum is divided into two areas. The first area exhibits the history of Bandung and the second area covers the social and cultural that shape Bandung.

Museum POS - Gedung Sate

Eat

Bandung is famous for its Batagor and Siomay, savory fried/steamed fish cakes served with spicy peanut sauce, but the city has more culinary delights you can savor. There are many restaurants where you can grab traditional dishes. Here are some of our favourites.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Lawangwangi Creative Space - Bandung is known for food and art. And this restaurant-cum-gallery is no different than that. With the magnificent views of sweeping hills from the seating area and a gorgeous wooden deck, aka selfie central. Their delicious Indonesian and European fare will fuel your body and mind before you head to their art gallery.

Kampung Daun - Nestled in the lap of lush hills in Bandung, this restaurant is actually a mimic of a traditional village, filled with rivers, ponds, gardens, and charming traditional huts in the dining area. Sundanese cuisine with a beautiful and calm ambience always makes you want more. The restaurant also has a stage for performances, a souvenir outlet, and kiosks selling traditional snacks and goods.

Dusun Bambu - Though it is a family leisure park, the food served by the restaurant here is mind blasting. From cosy lakeside cabanas to gorgeous birds' nest dining rooms, their signature spicy food makes the trip to this park memorable.

Pinisi Resto - A massive wooden ship that’s docked by a lake and surrounded by lush greenery, this restaurant has a tranquil ambience and is lovely enough that you would always want to go back there. Favourite of the locals and the tourists, this place is worth the visit.

Hummingbird Eatery - A cosy interior with birds' nest-inspired exterior, this restaurant offers not only traditional Sundanese cuisine but many, from European to American. This restaurant has a guest house too, in case you’re in need of a unique place to stay that is steps away from excellent food.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Whether you're meat-free or prefer to stay plant-based, Bandung actually has some veg/vegan-friendly restaurants you may visit.

Kehidupan Tak Pernah Berakhir - The name of this place literally means “Life Never Ends”, what more a perfect name can be for a vegan/veg restaurant. The place serves an array of vegetarian foods on a buffet. All dishes are cooked without using MSG, coconut milk, and meat

Vegetarian House Catering - This restaurant serves healthy food and drinks without milk, eggs, meat, cheese, and onions. The place is famous for its Mushroom Rice with Serundeng, Bakmoy Rice, Vegetable Butter Rice, and other Indonesia’s favourite dishes.

Moey Resto Vegetarian - It’s a casual Chinese-food restaurant that serves vegan-friendly dishes. Enjoy some of its signatures Chinese dishes along with Indonesia’s favourite choices. Moey is famous for its Nasi Tutug Oncom, Vegetarian Rendang, type of vegetarian satays, salad, and more.

KuangMing Vegetarian Restaurant - KuangMin serves more than 30 types of vegetarian meals and more than 50 types of vegetarian snacks. This place is famous for its Indonesian dishes, such as Grilles Rice, Liwet Rice, as well as various Chinese foods.

Street Food

When you're enjoying Bandung, answer your curiosity on the native Sundanese culinary by trying these famous street foods. A little heads up, they love their food spicy. Here are our suggestions from the variety.

Ceu Mar - Ceu Mar is a big buffet of Sundanese dishes where you eat in an open area. Dishes like fried tempeh (soybean cake) and tofu, spicy scrambled egg, brined-anchovies, grilled chicken, everyone's favourite -Sundanese beef goulash (gulai daging)- and many more are all perfectly cooked and halal. The eatery doesn't have a menu or price, but a plate of various dishes is less than Rp 50.000 (US$3).

Bubur Ayam Gibbas - This steaming hot chicken porridge is served with a generous portion of shredded chicken topping. The topping is so plentiful, it almost spills from the bowl and you may need an extra bowl to hold extra toppings such as crackers, eggs, skewered chicken liver, and gizzard.

Nasi Bistik Astana Anyar - Though the word 'Bistik' comes from beef steak, this dish doesn't use beef at all. This fusion uses sliced fried chicken steak as the main ingredient. That's right, fried chicken steak, served with steamed vegetables and a fried potato wedge.

Cireng Cipaganti - This snack is made of fried tapioca mixed with starch and covered with peanut sauce. It has a savoury taste, chewy texture, and best served while it's still hot. To enrich the flavour, Cireng Cipaganti comes with minced beef, sausage, beef floss (abon), or cheese filling.

Drink

Bandrek - Bandrek (pronounced bun-drag) is a sweet and spicy hot drink native to the Sundanese people. The drink is made with ginger, palm sugar, and cinnamon, with the optional star anise, cloves, and coriander seeds to name just a few.

Civet Coffee - Indonesian kopi luwak is often cited as the most expensive coffee in the world. It is made from coffee beans that are digested and excreted by the civet (luwak)—a catlike mammal that is native to Southeast Asia—before they are washed, ground, and roasted as it is believed that when the coffee beans pass through the animal’s digestive tract, they lose their astringency, which makes the coffee softer, smoother, and less bitter.

Bajigur - Bajigur is the traditional drink of the Sundanese people of West Java, Indonesia. Its main ingredient is palm sugar and coconut milk. Served warm, this drink leaves you wanting more.

Sekoteng - Commonly sold in the evening by cart vendors, sekoteng is a ginger-based hot drink made with simple ginger syrup and condensed milk. It is topped with sagoo pearls, palm fruit, coconut, diced bread, and peanuts. Don't forget to select the toppings you want on your drink.

Kopi Joss - Kopi Joss is nothing but a coffee. But what makes this coffee unique is the addition of burning charcoal that is added directly in a cup of brewed coffee. Interesting.

Kopi terbalik - Kopi terbalik or kopi khop is an Indonesian type of coffee known for its unique serving style. The coffee is brewed and poured into a glass, which is then turned upside down and placed on a large plate. Each coffee is served with a straw, and the guest should use it to slowly blow air inside the glass, allowing the liquid to pour on the plate.

Tap-water

When in Indonesia, it's best to stick to bottled or gallon water. Tap water is safe for general use, like showering and cooking, and you can also drink it after boiling.

Organic Cafés

If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, there are multiple cafés in Bandung that serve non-vegetarian as well as veg and vegan meals. Here are the names of some famous cafés where you can visit-

Fortunate Coffee Bandung

Burgreens Bandung

Down to Earth

One Eighty Coffee and Music

Cafe Halaman

Breweries

From jazzy clubs to shining bars, we’ve got you a range of options to pick from.

Vesper Sky Bar & Lounge

Verde Resto & Lounge

Golden Monkey

KIRI Social Bar

Little Collins

Halfway Bar

Wodka Kitchen & Bar

Fabrik Eatery & Bar

Holywings

Level Kitchen & Soju Bar

Activities

Other than sightseeing and making good of marvellous eateries in Bandung, these are our recommendation as outdoor activities -

Cycle Off Road At The Lodge Maribaya.

Treat Yourself at a Boutique Shop

Enjoy the Cafes

Stay Overnight at a Unique Hotel

Visit Kawah Putih

Explore Dusun Bambu

Have an Adventure at Tebing Gunung Hawu

Yoga and Retreats

Indonesia is a top destination for yoga retreats. Bandung adds a few more of the best yoga retreats in Indonesia. Some of our recommendations are –

Svarga E-motion Sanctuary - Bandung

Everyday Balinese Spa & Reflexology Graha Siliwangi

Padma Hotel Bandung

ZEN Family Spa & Reflexology Bandung

InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar

Trizara Resort

Accommodation

There are plenty of hotels, hostels, guest houses in prime locations in Bandung. Nowadays, most opt for online bookings; don’t forget to read the reviews on them.

Green Hotels

Hilton Bandung - From its large guest rooms and world-class service to its central location, this green hotel is centrally located about 10 minutes from Bandung International Airport, 5 minutes from the train station, and a two-hour drive from Jakarta, with great access to shopping and culinary centres.

Hotel Ibis Bandung Trans Studio - The largest ibis hotel in Asia, strategically located in Trans Studio Mall and Trans Studio Bandung, the biggest indoor theme park in Asia. Easy access from toll road exit Buah Batu, 20 minutes from Husein Sastranegara Airport.

Padma Hotel Bandung - Inspired by the beauty of Parahyangan, this green hotel boasts a spectacular mountain view, elegant guestrooms, and exceptional hospitality personified by its 24-hour butler service. Located at the hillside yet only minutes away from Bandung's city centre, it is the perfect place for great getaways and fruitful meetings.

The Novotel Bandung - This sustainable hotel is a 4 star hotel conveniently located in the centre of Bandung. Close to the main shopping and entertainment precinct, it is ideal for business trips and holidays.

Hostels and Guest Houses

Hostels and guest houses come with a lesser budget as well as it helps the locals to earn extra. Bandung offers a plethora of budget-friendly hostels and guest houses –

Ostel

INAP at Capsule Hostel Bandung

Temmu Co living

Subwow Hostels

Mogens Guest House

Tulip Guest House

RedDoorz Plus near Asia Africa

Apartments

If you want to stay longer and want your privacy, renting apartments can be a good option for you. You may come across many tourists with whom you can enjoy the daily lives of Bandung. You can book them online sites such as www.booking.com etc. On such sites, locals advertise their apartment, location, and connectivity with the transport modes. Read the reviews on them before renting one. To name a few apartments where tourists can stay –

Sudirman Suites Apartment

Parahyangan Residence

Landmark Residence

Tamansari Panoramic

Gateway Apartment Bandung

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfers share their homes, cities, and lives in profound, meaningful ways, making travel anywhere in the world a truly social experience. You will find many hosts if you want to couch-surf in Bandung. There are multiple online sites such as couchsurfing.com which help tourists to take this option of staying. Still, if you want to opt for this option, extra precaution is necessary, especially for the females. Do not hesitate to ask for the details and the references of the host. And a little tip: never interfere with their beliefs and lives.

Camping

If you want to go camping, these are the places recommended for you –

Lembah Cileunyi Camping Ground

Bukit mbah celeng

Pine forest Camp

Alat Camping

Batu Kuda Manglayang Campground

The Lodge Maribaya Bike Park

How to Get There

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. You can reach here by plane, train, bus or taxi depending upon your location.

Air

Bandung's Husein Sastranegara (IATA: BDO) airport has a difficult location among the mountains and has only limited services with narrow-body airplanes. The airport is located at the end of Pajajaran Street, 4km from the centre of the city. There's no metered taxi available from bandung airport. The official taxi of the airport didn't use meter and will only served once you had a taxi ticket (the ticket shown the amount you have to pay to the driver) which can be bought at the taxi booth near the international arrival exit gate. Though most hotels provide free airport transfer services.

Bandung's Husein Sastranegara

Bus

A bus in Bandung

Bus services connect Bandung and smaller surrounding cities. Several long-route buses are also available from major big cities. The most convenient way is the air-conditioned bus with the express or non-stop tag. The main bus terminals in Bandung are Leuwipanjang, serving buses from the west (Bogor, Jakarta, Merak, Pandeglang, Tangerang, Depok, Bekasi, Cikarang, Cibinong and Sukabumi, and also buses to as far as Medan) and Cicaheum, serving buses from the east (Cirebon, Garut, Tasikmalaya, Banjar, Pangandaran, Indramayu, central Java cities, eastern Java cities and also from Bali Island).

You can also opt for shuttle buses. With 6-12 seater minivans leaving every fifteen minutes up to every 1 to 2 hours depends on the providers.

Train

State operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia [32] offers frequent services between Jakarta and Bandung, as well as connections onward to Surabaya. Even the fastest services take more than three hours, making this a slower option than the shuttle buses. Still, if you want to take the train then do not miss this view when travelling by train. The railroad passes mountains and padi terraces making the journey enjoyable.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in Indonesia is usually very easy for foreigners (Bule) while it gets harder for locals, unless they are taken on the dumping bed of a truck. Cars are not many though and traffic is very slow: in particular in Java it's not uncommon to be blocked in traffic jams for hours. Hitchhiking itself is very tricky. So before asking for a lift you need to be sure of the place and better have a map with you.

Others

Bandung is two hours away from Jakarta by car, thanks to the new Cipularang toll road that completes the inter-city highway between Jakarta and Bandung. It is now faster to travel to Bandung by car than by train from Jakarta. No wonder many tourists go for this option.

Moving Around

Indonesia’s colonial rulers, the Dutch, once planned to shift the capital of the country to Bandung. Though that never happened, in the early 1900s they made it their resort centre. And that's when this idyllic town became the 'Paris of Java'. If you want to divulge the originality of the city, you have to leave the usual transportation mode and look for a slower mode of transportation. So, here are some of the modes of transportation you can choose.

Walk

If you prefer to be independent and like walking, which is designed to take you to the must-sees and some lesser-known sights. You will be amazed at how these self-guided tours can help to know about Bandung. If you are not confident to make it alone, you can always hire a local guide. Many tour guiding programs are held by the hotel itself. There are multiple online sites to book walking tours.

Bicycle

Another eco-friendly way of moving around in Bandung is a bicycle tour. Renting a private bike is another way to tour Bandung. Hop on a bike and choose a pace most suitable for yourself, and travel through the streets and alleys of the city.

Electronic Vehicles

If you find walking and cycling a bit stressful, worry not. Public transport is the best option for you.

Public Bus

There are some bus lines, but they don't cover the whole city. City buses usually cover long routes across the city from end-to-end; for example, from the north to the south and from the west to the east. The city bus is called DAMRI.

Tram, Train and Subway

Urban railway exists in form of commuter rail in Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya. New mass rapid transit and light rail transit system are currently being introduced in Jakarta and Palembang. If you are well aware of the places in Bandung, then you can take the commuter rail to wander around.

There aren’t any trams and metros running in the city.

Sustainable Shopping

The concept of sustainable shopping is new to the world. People are trying to change their lifestyles and adopting eco-friendly practices that support the local community. As a responsible tourist, you must buy souvenirs and antiques from the local markets of Bandung.

Food Markets

To get a real taste of Sundanese food, sample some of the lip-smacking street food available at these great street food markets in Bandung. To name a few:

Paskal Food Market

Sudirman Street Day & Night Market

Flea Markets

For street shoppers who love flea markets, here are the names of some markets where you can find souvenirs as well as local things,

Pasar Barang Bekas Sekitar Jalan Suryani Bandung

Market Antiques & Oldies Cikapundung Bandung

Pasar Loak Barang Bekas Astana Anyar

Second Hand Stores

Some of the best second-hand stores in Bandung are -

BABE BArang BEkas

PAKAIAN SECOND BANDUNG

Used Furniture Store Parakan

Sky Thrift Store

Eco-Fashion

Apart from buying antiques and crafts, you can always go for sustainable fashion. You will get to experience the Indonesian style with reusable clothing. Some of the shops are:

Rumah Mode Factory Outlet

Wellborn Flagship Store

Zara

Heritage The Factory Outlet

Recycling

Though due to lack of integrated MSW management, most of PPW is neither collected properly nor disposed of in an appropriate manner by the municipality. The government has taken many initiatives that will ensure the cleanliness of the Bandung city.

Waste

Economic growth, changing consumption and production patterns are resulting in a rapid increase in the generation of plastic wastes, including plastic packaging waste (PPW).

Accordingly the flow of PPW within Bandung City, the generation rate per capita is not so high (25.1 g per day), total PPW generated by 2.3 million inhabitants in Bandung becomes 58.4 tonnes per day (3.76 % of total MSW generated).

Work and Study Abroad

The higher education system of Indonesia is represented by 302 universities. 17 universities in Bandung are listed in 11 different university rankings (by institution) as well as 1 different subject specific rankings. 7 of these universities are listed in at least one institution or subject specific ranking. Tuition fees in Indonesia will vary depending on the institution and level of study. International students should on average expect to pay between £2,300/$3,000 and £4,600/$6,100 per year.

If you are going to study in Indonesia, you will need to apply for a student visa (KITAS). This can be done at the Indonesian embassy in your home country. You should first apply for a social visit visa, and apply for a student visa when you arrive in the country. The student visa is valid for one year and can be renewed each year up to four times.

Whilst English is spoken in the bigger cities and is used as a teaching language at institutions, you will not find an advanced level of English outside of these major cities. Before you move to Indonesia, it is worth learning some basic phrases so that you can get around in your first few weeks. Whether you choose to study a course in English, Indonesian, or any other offered languages, you will probably have to prove your language proficiency. If you are okay with part-time jobs, you can upload your resume on job sites such as www.indeed.com, www.simplyhired.com or you can ask the locals about any part-time job opening they know about.

Exchange Student

As mentioned above, foreign student programs are very much available in Bandung. All you have to do is, contact your home university if they have collaboration with the university here.

Au Pair

There are many Au Pair jobs available in Bandung. To have a good salary or a likeable job you have to submit your resume to online portals like www.aupair.com, www.greataupair.com, www.topaupairs.com. The jobs they provide like, child care, old age home jobs, etc.

Volunteering

If you are here as a tourist, and you want to volunteer for the social causes here there are many online sites, like, www.goabroad.com, www.workaway.info, etc. They will help you to choose the place where you want to volunteer according to your likes and comfort. Some of the volunteer jobs include planting trees, teaching the locals English, Educating kids, Welfare for animals, etc.